A murky picture

rpm

rpm

Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
66,805
Reaction score
5,057
Location
Johannesburg
A murky picture

IF YOU, like your reporter, is a television and technology addict then you probably already own the new high-definition personal video recorder (HD PVR) from MultiChoice. And you're probably tearing out your hair by now, like your reporter.
Click to expand...
 
There are a few bug and they must be fixed.

- However forwarding and rewinding is much easier when you press the blue button and then use the joystick to forward to any point in the recording.
- EPG guide is bad and needs serious improvement.
- PVR does hang, but rather use the reset button upfront, by holding it until it reboots.
- I have noticed that some shows on the HD channel aren't true HD, but when it is it is awesome.

In general compared to my old M-Net decoder the increase in functionality and picture quality is heaven sent. As long as Multichoice are aware of the errors and are working on them to improve the HD PVR, I will be patient.
 
IF YOU, like your reporter, is a television and technology addict then you probably already own the new high-definition personal video recorder (HD PVR) from MultiChoice. And you're probably tearing out your hair by now, like your reporter.
Click to expand...
OMG!

This looks like it's syndicated but... wow!
 
Deja vu again! This looks like a duplicate of the SD scenario - Im still waiting for enhancements which were being developed in 2005! At on point I had software on the PVR which allowed searching for repeats, but that has been removed by MC. At one point I had software that would allow me record a series, but that has been removed by MC. My pvr still reboots itself on a random basis.

I'm still sorry I never went for another solution.

Am I going for the HD version? Doubt it, MC doesn't seem capable of producing a solid solution.
 
What irritates me is seeing complaints of complexity of source code etc. In fact it irritates me at places other than MC too. If your developers can't produce scalable, stable code then get some who can. Simple as that.
 
I don't see why I should pay R2500 to buy something I can't use with any other satellite TV provider. That is a lot of money for an immature product and no guarantee that it will become better in the near future. My SD decoder hangs constantly, the EPG is inaccurate and slow and I can't switch it off via the remote anymore. Maybe they are buggering the firmware on purpose to force people to upgrade.
 
I agree - I was an early adopter of the original SD PVR, and part of the field trial group. MC have failed to deliver on their promises for delivering features, especially series recording, despite having a working solution that was never delivered to all customers.

I think I'll wait a bit and see if the problems get sorted out before I upgrade.
 
Series recording? MCE 2005. Simple; and of course that horrid company refuses to supply the EPG. typical. You would think promoting people to use their service, no their hardware, is what their business model is all about, clearly being a monoploy has its advantages.
 
What really makes me laugh is that UEC are also developing an HD Dualview PVR, surely once they have completed it, MChoice, will just drop pace like they did before
 
Sorry to burst your bubble but the new UEC HDPVR will also be a single view like the current Pace decoder :confused: . This is the trend by most broadcasters worldwide. MC will be doing trials shortly (of the UEC box) and expected introduction to the market is Feb 2009. A software release is imminent to cure most bugs discussed on the forum. Xtraview expected during November.
 
Space Cadet said:
Sorry to burst your bubble but the new UEC HDPVR will also be a single view like the current Pace decoder :confused: . This is the trend by most broadcasters worldwide. MC will be doing trials shortly (of the UEC box) and expected introduction to the market is Feb 2009. A software release is imminent to cure most bugs discussed on the forum. Xtraview expected during November.
Click to expand...

Are they also going to fix their attitudes towards people with media centers? :rolleyes:

P.S. Welcome :)
 
xrapidx said:
Are they also going to fix their attitudes towards people with media centers? :rolleyes:

P.S. Welcome :)
Click to expand...

With a media center, you'll need to get the EPG in some electronic way, right? If so, I don't think so. The MC EPG is their IP according to them.
 
Nod said:
With a media center, you'll need to get the EPG in some electronic way, right? If so, I don't think so. The MC EPG is their IP according to them.
Click to expand...

Yeh, over an internet connection... their EPG is currently on their website, and various people 'scrape' the information.

Them saying the data is their IP is absolute bull, I pay my monthly subscription, so I have everyright to use the data.

Its the same as them saying you can't write down the TV schedule in pencil, or photocopy a page and stick it on the fridge to remind you.

They're just trying to force their monopoly by making it as difficult as possible to use anything but their products (PVR, etc.)
 
xrapidx said:
They're just trying to force their monopoly by making it as difficult as possible to use anything but their products (PVR, etc.)
Click to expand...

Jip, and the process they are ignoring a whole different market of people. There are a whole lot of devices that could have been on the market locally if they gave more choice to people.
 
Well Multichoice have opened a whole new business for people in ZA that scrape the guide, not that the annual fee is worth mentioning for the invaluable service.

Edit: IP; I like that, what idiots. Its a d@mn listing of whats on, not a !@#$ doctorate. Pffft.
 
carudden said:
Well Multichoice have opened a whole new business for people in ZA that scrape the guide, not that the annual fee is worth mentioning for the invaluable service.
Click to expand...

Charging for the guide, and charging for maintenance of the application are two dfferent things though :)

Multichoice try their best to alienate their subscribers with these tricks, and if one-day a decent competitor actually does hit our shores, hopefully they'll target 'our' market.
 
xrapidx said:
Charging for the guide, and charging for maintenance of the application are two dfferent things though :)
Click to expand...

For sure, that application and work involved to, err, maintain it, is definitely worth every cent. Now if only my new mce remote would arrive. Been delayed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X